Katz votes aye on pot decriminalization measure

Assemblyman Steve Katz, R-Yorktown, has voted in favor of a Democrat-sponsored bill that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana — a proposed solution to the controversy over “stop-and-frisk” policies in New York City that critics say disproportionately target young minority members.

Katz’s bill is of interest considering his recent arrest on possession stemming from an alleged speeding incident on the Northway. Those charges were pleaded down to little more than a parking ticket. Katz has refused to answer questions about the incident except to say that he wouldn’t let it get in the way of his advocacy for conservative agenda items.

Katz voted against a medical marijuana bill last year.

Here’s Katz’s statement explaining his aye, pitching it as in essence a mandate relief measure:

This bill works to close loopholes in the Marijuana Reform Act of 1977 and seeks to reduce the costs associated with marijuana violations on our justice system.

Rather than requiring excessive time and effort by our police force to deal with a small amount of marijuana, violators will be issued a ticket for a court date, which law enforcement has indicated will bring clarity to the current policy and make enforcement easier. While this bill does not change much of our current law, it is my hope that this bill will promote a broader discussion of our state’s policies.